What You Should do When It’s Time to Replace a Pipe Collar

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter  

The pipe collar pros at Wil-Mar give three handy tips for replacing your pipe collars. 

Often overlooked, the roof vent pipes are essential for the plumbing and ventilation of any building. What’s just as important as the pipes themselves, are the pipe collars that are secured around them. The pipe collars work in conjunction with the pipes to prevent roof leaks from happening. The roofing products company, Wil-Mar, developed the pipe collar and is helping out contractors by giving them a few tips on what to do when the pipe collar deteriorates.  

W.R. “Bill” Merrin owned a roofing company based in California. Throughout the years he used mastic and tape around the pipes on roofs he installed.  However, he watched as these materials continued to break down, thus needing replacement.  He decided to find a lasting solution and invented and patented the THE PIPE COLLAR in 1990. Made of a durable synthetic rubber, EPDM, the collar provides a waterproof counter-flashing. And it just slides over the vent pipe, making it easy to install. 

“Pipe collars are one of the most important accessories on your roof, because they are direct entry points for water when they rot.  If they are not inspected regularly the cost of water damage repair far exceeds the cost of fixing them,” Wil-Mar explains.   

Wil-Mar has suggested three different solutions to try when pipe collars go bad: 

The first is to replace the entire pipe collar with a brand new one. This can cause some problems though because the shingles that are around the pipe collar will need to be removed.  This is necessary so the pipe collar flashing can be properly attached to the roof decking. Older and brittle roof shingles can create more work and prolong the process.  These broken shingles will need to be replaced with new ones and chances are they won’t match the current roof color. 

Replacing the top lip of the pipe collar is the second solution, which is an easier fix than the first.  According to Wil-Mar, “They simply fit over your existing pipe collar and the new lip is caulked in place.” 

The final option is to use their new product.  It slides over the pipe collar that is already there.  “...The pipe section is then caulked and screwed in place over the existing pipe.  This product has a no leak guarantee,” Wil-Mar reveals. 

Pipe collars that are adequately maintained and are not worn can help prevent moisture from leaking through, thus causing the wood underneath to rot, and in some cases requiring a total roof replacement.  Regular inspection and prompt repair of roof pipe collars that are no longer serving their purpose, using one of the three methods mentioned above, will help prevent water damage and eliminate the need to re-roof.   

Get your free pipe collar, and watch the video. 

About Wil-Mar Products, Inc.  

Wil-Mar Products, Inc. was established from a desire to offer sustainable products and roof solutions to meet the needs and demands of the roofing industry.  Wil-Mar Products, Inc. has over 25 years’ experience, providing products which enable the roofing contractor to provide quality roofs for new or re-roofed, residential and commercial buildings.  Dedicated to providing the utmost customer service for its customers, the company is committed to providing personalized service and quality products. For more information, visit www.wilmarproducts.com.